Chapter 49

In no time, Xiao Yan had already refined and absorbed the fourth Imperial-grade medicinal pill, but he was still far from reaching the peak of the Mid-stage One-star Sovereign. Xiao Yan could only smile bitterly.

"It seems I underestimated the energy required for advancement."

Xiao Yan reluctantly poured out the last pill. As soon as it was in his palm, he noticed that this pill was different from the others. The energy contained in this pill was much stronger than any of the previous four, and a glint of excitement flashed in his eyes.

"Is this a Second-grade Imperial pill?"

Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised. While a First-grade Imperial pill was already powerful, the gap between a First-grade and a Second-grade Imperial pill was significant. Second-grade Imperial pills were rare even in the Xiao Clan, and he hadn't expected Xiao Long to have refined one for him.

"The energy of this Second-grade Imperial pill is so strong! I wonder if this will be enough?" Xiao Yan felt the immense power, and although he knew that reaching the peak of the Mid-stage One-star Sovereign would likely still require more, a glimmer of hope rekindled in his heart.

Xiao Yan immediately swallowed the Second-grade Imperial pill. The energy from the Second-grade Imperial pill was far beyond that of a First-grade Imperial pill. A powerful surge of energy swept through his body, and with a loud boom, the energy exploded within him. The energy waves rippled outward like ripples on water.

As the pill's energy began to disperse, the strange force from the Qi Refinement layer surged again, even more intensely than before. Once more, an inexplicable energy appeared within Xiao Yan, seemingly in sync with the strength of the pill's energy. It refined his Dou Qi at a slower pace than before, repeating the process of absorbing the four First-grade Imperial pills.

This time, the refinement process took several times longer than it had with the previous First-grade Imperial pills.

At this moment, Xiao Yan's meridians seemed to be infused with a thread of lightning, and the powerful energy roared through them. "A Second-grade Imperial pill is indeed different!"

When the last thread of energy surged into Xiao Yan's meridians, which now resembled a surging river, his body trembled. A faint shadow seemed to ripple across his skin, and a muffled sound slowly echoed.

"Peak! I didn't expect it." Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, and a previously unseen energy fluctuation rippled through his gaze. After absorbing the four First-grade Imperial pills and one Second-grade Imperial pill given to him by Xiao Long, Xiao Yan successfully advanced to the peak of the Mid-stage One-star Sovereign, just one step away from the Late-stage One-star Sovereign.

Xiao Yan pressed his lips together and stood up, his bones cracking with a series of pops.

"The feeling of advancement is so exhilarating."